Tag Archive for: Pilates North Liberty Iowa

Why are Pilates equipment classes so expensive?

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A student on the Pilates Reformer.
A student on the Pilates Reformer.

If you are new to the Pilates Method of exercise and you are just starting to look at ways to learn and practice Pilates you might be having a little bit of sticker shock.  It’s not unusual for Pilates equipment classes to cost $25-$45 per class.  You are probably thinking, “These people might be crazy if they expect me to pay what I normally pay for a month membership at the box gym for just one 50 minute class.”  Why in the world are the classes so expensive?

There are many factors that go into the price a studio charges for a class but the two major ones are what they are paying the Pilates instructor and the cost and upkeep of the equipment that is being used for class.

Professional Pilates instructors are not your average fitness instructor when it comes to their training and experience and their high demand means in the United States their hourly wage ranges between $15.23 per hour and $49.61 based on their experience!  Pilates Method Alliance certified instructors have a minimum of 450 hours of initial training hours and many comprehensive training programs require 600 to 900 hours of training.  Instructors are not simply taught to repeat movement sequences but are trained in how bodies move, how to adapt movement for various body types and conditions, and how to safely progress clients of varying abilities.  When you take a Pilates equipment class you are getting an individualized movement experience tailored to what your body needs.  Most studios only offer small groups of 6 to 8 people maximum in a Pilates equipment class so that the method can be effectively and safely taught to everyone in class.

Although fairly simple in design, quality Pilates equipment is not cheap and you don’t want it to be cheap! Well built Pilates equipment is designed to accommodate bodies of all sizes safely and effectively.  The spring based equipment needs to be maintained regularly and springs replaced on a regular basis to maintain safety.

Thigh Stretch in a Pilates Tower class.
Thigh Stretch in a Pilates Tower class.

Now that you know a little bit more about what goes into the pricing of a Pilates equipment class you might be asking, “Is it really worth the extra cost to me?”  The best way to answer this question is to try it out!!   The Pilates Method of exercise is a method designed to help your body move as efficiently as possible while gaining and maintaining strength, flexibility and balance.  You can definitely learn Pilates just by doing Pilates Mat work but as an instructor of over 15 plus years I can tell you that you will progress quicker with the assistance and guidance of the equipment and a qualified instructor.

Joseph Pilates designed the Pilates equipment as tools for practitioners and instructors so that you could  “get” the Pilates concepts into your body quicker and more efficiently than if you only are using your own body for your workouts.

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If you are brand new to Pilates we know it may be hard to grasp how this Pilates equipment works and what is so great about equipment classes.  This is why we offer a complimentary private session to all new clients at Rivercity Pilates so that you can experience the Pilates Method of exercise and the Pilates equipment in your own body and make a decision for yourself!!

Cheap and Quick are Two Things that Should not be Associated with a Pilates Training Program!!

Shelley and Nancy at a recent Mat Instructor Training Class at Rivercity Pilates.

Shelley and Nancy at a recent Mat Instructor Training Class at Rivercity Pilates.

Anything worth doing is worth doing well!  Often times when people are looking at our training programs I hear things like,  “Wow that is really expensive!” or “That takes a long time.” Here’s the deal.  Our training programs are teaching you to teach a highly effective, complex movement practice called the Pilates Method to any body.  The first step in being able to teach the method is actually doing it in your body and having a Pilates practice of your own.  You will also need to learn to communicate with different types of clients, modify movements to different bodies and be able to effectively progress clients at the appropriate level.

The process of fine tuning your own Pilates practice and learning how to teach it to others is not a short one. It involves you spending time with an qualified instructor so that you can learn and keep learning and involves you practicing what you learn in a variety of environments.  Just like getting your haircut with the best hairstylist in town is much more expensive than going to Cost Cutters, learning from an experienced knowledgable instructor is more expensive, but of course worth every cent!

Taryn is ready for another Instructor Training session1

Taryn is ready for another Instructor Training session!

Like most things in life, you get what you pay for when it comes to Pilates instructor training programs!  So if you are serious about teaching Pilates, take some time to do your research and find a program that is credible and meets your specific goals in taking the program.  At Rivercity Pilates we encourage potential Pilates instructors in training to start the discovery process by simply taking a complimentary private session and maybe a few classes at the studio to start the process.  We also have you come in and chat with us one on one so you can get all your questions answered.  For more information contact us today!

Why you should learn Pilates so you never have to go to a studio!

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One of the things I love most about my own Pilates practice is that I can do it anywhere (and I do)!  I love that whether I have 40 minutes or 5 minutes I can find some movement sequence to do that makes me feel better and energizes me.  I don’t need to rely on going to class, watching a video or anybody else.  Of course I also love to go to class and get instruction but I don’t need to.

I always love it when I see this phenomena happening in my clients because I feel like it means I’m doing my job well.  I get excited when I hear things like,” I didn’t make it to class this week but I did my Hundreds at home everyday.  OK…not a lot of people tell me this one….but I can pretend!  More likely is, “I did my rolling like a ball and shoulder bridge in the living room during the Big Bang Theory!

To me, this is what having a movement practice is all about! The reason to take sessions with a knowledgable instructor is so that you can learn about your body and learn how to create a movement practice not just in the studio but in your life.  There will always be times in your life when you can’t make it to a studio to take a class or get your private session in but that doesn’t mean you can’t get some movement in!

As you progress in your Pilates practice you’ll find yourself thinking about movement in a whole different way! You’ll start seeing movement as a way to feel better in your body and you’ll probably crave it!  You’ll start paying attention to your posture at work and maybe sneaking in some of your favorite exercises during the commercials of your favorite TV shows!  As a bonus, you won’t feel bad when you can’t make it into the studio for your session or class!  You’ll feel comfortable knowing that you can practice your favorite Pilates exercises on your own and still get a great work out!

Office Pilates Day 14: One Leg Balance

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How’s your balance?  If you have a standing desk you can easily stand on one leg and balance and still keep working!! Standing balance exercises will strengthen muscles in your foot, ankle, legs and hips and give you more functional balance throughout your life!

For more ways that you can use the Pilates principles during your work day, visit any of the links below:

[catlist name=”office-pilates” numberposts=30 pagination=yes instance=1]

[tweetthis twitter_handles=”#officepilates, #pilates”]Did you know that just standing and balancing builds muscle? [/tweetthis]

Why husbands should buy their wife Pilates sessions for Christmas!

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christmas!It’s that time of year again and if you are like many men you are trying to think of a unique, thoughtful gift for your wife that she won’t want to return! What about purchasing her a package of private Pilates sessions? I know what you are thinking…..if I buy my wife fitness classes she’s going to think I think she needs to lose weight or get into better shape and that could get me in trouble! Let me put some of your fears at ease and give you some of my top reasons why private Pilates sessions makes a perfect gift and why it may be the best present you’ve ever gotten her!

1. She will feel like a movie star!! There’s a reason why you hear about all of the stars who are doing Pilates (Jennifer Anniston, Reese Witherspoon, Cameron Diaz…) Pilates instructors are highly trained instructors who specialize in teaching the Pilates Method of exercise to any body type. Her one-on-one sessions will be tailored specifically to her body and she will feel like a queen! What a great gift from you! What could be better than individual sessions tailored to exactly what your wife wants from a fitness program?

2. Pilates is great for every body and every age. Individual sessions can let you explore if it is a method of exercising that she wants to incorporate into her life. Whether you are recovering from a back injury or an elite athlete- Pilates can improve how you feel, how you move and how your body looks! Pilates instructors are trained to work with lots of different body types and even injuries so there is no need to worry about if your wife will feel comfortable working safely with the instructor.

DSCN76943. Going to the studio is NOT like going to the gym. The studio atmosphere is spa-like, comfortable and welcoming! It’s like the “Cheers” of the fitness world! Everyone knows your name and your instructors know you and your body. You don’t have to worry about getting lost in the crowd. Many of our clients refer to the studio as their “Happy Place”!

4. She probably wouldn’t buy them herself. Women tend to take care of everyone else in their life first and often don’t spend the time and money they should to take care of themselves! You know how important your wife and her health and happiness is to your family life right? Let her know how much you appreciate all she does for you and your family by supporting her in learning to take care of herself and her health! Learning Pilates is a way to learn to move and feel better not just at the studio but in everything you do in life. Let’s face it, when she’s healthy and happy so is everyone else! In the long run the benefits of this holiday gift will come back to you a hundred fold down the road!

Introduction to PilatesPackage

5. It’s easy for you! We can help you pick out the perfect Pilates present for your wife and we love doing it! We can throw in some cute Pilates accessories (like Pilates socks, a cute workout top or a water bottle) and we can gift wrap it so all you have to do is give it to her!! Give us a call, email us or stop by the studio.

If there is mindful, is there mindless?

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IMG_4277 I teach mindful movement daily and I’m a firm believer in the power of a mindful movement practice in your life.  I love my Pilates practice and how it forces me to pay attention to my body, to go inside and not even think about anything else, and to just plain create space and time for me.  I also love what I like to call my mindless exercise for an entirely different reason.

For me, mindless exercise is usually a run or walk or combination of both.  My goal is often to run because it forces me to push myself, it gets my heart rate up and I can’t overthink it.  I grab my headphones and listen to some of my favorite music and just get outside and move.  The getting outside component is probably just as important as the activity for me.  I find my brain and my body crave the fresh air and the sunlight(or moonlight depending on when I get out!), whether its scorching hot out or 20 degrees.

During my runs I often find myself just soaking in the outdoors, looking around and reminding myself of the expansiveness of my world.  Check out the amazing scenery I get to soak in during a run around my neighborhood.  Sometimes in life, I feel like I get so caught up in the little things going on in my life and for some reason when I’m outdoors I reminded of how unimportant those little things are in the big picture of things.

IMG_4278I always feel better mentally and physically when I’m done with my mindless exercise and I can always tell when I haven’t gotten it in for a few days.  For me how I feel is what keeps me motivated to continue to add it in to my life.  There used to be a day when mindless exercise like running, cycling, cardio,etc. was something I did to stay in shape or to maintain or lose weight and it often seemed like a chore.  Now it’s a truly a gift in my life, something I get in whenever I can because I enjoy it and because I love how it makes me feel.   It’s amazing how much that perspective can change things.

P.S.  I’m a super slow runner and quite honestly don’t find it easy while I’m doing it, but it seems the after effects trump that and keep me coming back for more!